Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

Please forgive my embarrassingly noob question .... but I was hoping some of you could explain/educate me as to the difference between - and the purpose of - the function(s) of a Shop Vac and a Dust Separator/Collector.

THANK YOU in advance for your patience and minimized ridicule of my novice question.

Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

It also would sepperat the dust from the air and drop it into a hopper instead of just blowing it out into the air like a shop vac would.
One way to use a shop vac would be to attach another hose to the exhost and run it out the wall or window.

Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

So, as "beginner" as a beginner can be in starting into home hobby level woodworking projects, I don't really need to get a full blown dust separator system at this point - right? A basic/decent shop vac will probably suit my dust collection needs during my formative novice/learning period - yes?

Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

Same here. Have always wanted to add a collector system, but, as the saying goes, money doesn't grow on trees, and a good quality shop vac works fine. With a little bit of tin, thin plywood, plexiglass, or a combination of components, whatever suits your needs, and a few of the right sizes of PVC, you can build some pretty decent custom pickups. On one of my miter saws, it's as simple as an old upper radiator hose that I have used for years, one end that slips over the discharge on the saw and the other end fits just right into my shop vac hose.

Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

A dust collector is hooked up to machinery to help keep the dust down. You can obviously get by without one, and I did for many years, but the bigger the toys the more useful a collector is. It's especially nice when attached to a cabinet saw with a blade guard/vacuum setup. I really reduces the mess and helps you to see your cuts. I've cut literally tons of plastics so it's a lifesaver, plastic dust is horrible in numerous ways.

Here's a tip though. Do not use it when cutting metal. I've also cut tons of aluminum and used it at first but read too many horror stories on woodworker forums/usenet of metal embers setting the wood dust on fire hours after the work.

Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

I agree with the others---if your tool budget is limited---use the shop vac---trash can separators are available for little money if you get tired of constantly emptying your vacuum---

Dedicated dust collection systems are great if the budget allows--($600 for machine and pipes/gates is typical for a small set up)

Simply open a gate on the tool you are using and the dust is gone----floor dust can be swept into a floor opening----real nice thing to have---but most woodworkers will spent the tool budget on tools ,long before spending it on safety or cleaning---

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Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

A "shop vac" uses a fan to create a suction to pull materials into a canister. The canister has in internal filtration device to clean materials from the air introduced into the canister and that cleaner air is exited via an external "discharge" port. A dust collector work on pretty much the same principle but there is an added feature which introduces the incoming air/materials into a "cyclone" type device which greatly reduces the velocity of the incoming air/materials so that the materialsliterally drops out of the incoming air to be collected in a container. This reduced velocity air is then filtered, much as the shop vac, before being discharged into the atmosphere. You can buy the "cyclone chamber" attachment for your shop vac. One advantage of these is that the filter within the shop vac stays cleaner longer and they are easy too dump.

Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

.........and, no offense to the ShopVac brand, well, I guess a little......but the quality of their vacs has tanked (pun intended) over the last 4 or 5 years. I owned one for 20 years.......1980 - 2000, metal parts, metal wheels/casters, almost indestructible. When it died I went right back for another ShopVac......in TWO years it was a goner. So, I bought another thinking I just got a lemon or something.....well, it too died, this time in a year's time. I finally wised up and switched brands going to RIDGID mainly because it at least had solid metal wheels. It's still going strong after 3 years. Fingers crossed.

Difference Between a SHOP VAC and a DUST SEPARATOR/COLLECTOR ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by joecaption

One way to use a shop vac would be to attach another hose to the exhost and run it out the wall or window.

I don't think this will work...since the shop vac's motor creates a vacuum using the catch container. Therefore venting the container to the outside will defeat the vacuum and render the shop vac useless.